Welcome to another “Natural New Age Mums Chat About…”
I am so excited to be featuring some amazing Aussie mums who specialize in their own particular natural and/or new age area. The aim is to give us a little bit of inside information into some new things we may not know about, but are curious.
Today I welcoming the beautiful Alli Davies from Oh My Musical Goodness to tell us all about musical therapy!
Tell us about yourself….
I’m Alli Davies and I’m totally living the dream! A great husband, a 19 month old daughter, a log cabin on a couple of bush acres a few minutes from the beach in Tassie, a music therapy business and a sound healing retreat! Life for me doesn’t get much better!!
As a registered music therapist I have worked in early childhood intervention, education, special needs, juvenile detention, child protection, mental health, aged care and palliative care. As a passionate vibrational healer I’ve developed the musical massage (a sound based ‘bath’ for balancing the energy centres), and a range of other sound based treatments. I’ve presented at international conferences and been published in Nurture – Natural Parenting Magazine.
What is your outlook on life?
My personal outlook on life is quite simple. I’m aware of my own personal needs and what it is that makes me feel like me, and I try (as best as I can) to incorporate snippets of these things into each day.
Tell us about Oh My Musical Goodness…
Oh My Musical Goodness came about after many years of dreaming up a sound healing retreat and a need to adapt my business style after Maple was born. I decided to take a step back from clinical work and look more at community based need. I began by establishing community chanting and drumming groups and music groups for 0-4’s and have been developing music resources at the request of my clients. I’ve also developed exclusive music based workshops that I offer via skype.
How long have you been a registered music therapist?
I registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association in 2005 and have been running a private music therapy business ever since.
What study or training did you have to be a music therapist?
I spent six years at uni – completing a combined Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education with the University of New England before heading to the University of Queensland to do my Masters in Music Therapy. My next uni course (if it is to be) will be Guided Imagery in Music, a course only offered to music therapists which focuses on utilising the amazing relationship between music and visual imagery.
So,what is music therapy?
Music therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and wellbeing. This can happen in a million different ways but common interventions include song-writing, music listening, movement and dance, instrument playing, improvisation, singing and vocalising and lyrical analysis. Clients have an initial assessment to clarify needs and set achievable goals and musical interventions are then put into place based on the client’s personal musical identity and their therapeutic needs.
How does a session work?
Everybody’s musical identity differs, as do their personal set of therapeutic needs, so no two sessions ever look the same! Sometimes we do group work, sometimes individual sessions.
The musical massage is the Oh My Musical Goodness signature vibrational treatment! Without giving away too many secrets the musical massage takes the shape of a 45 minute non-contact massage – using layers of sound instead of hands. Each instrument chosen is selected specifically for it’s pitch and how it will resonate with that particular person’s energy levels. Clients arrive at the treatment feeling either overstimulated or flat and head home feeling balanced and revived!
How much do your services cost?
These online sessions are sold as gift cards, beautiful cards for you to give your family and friends who can book their session at a time that suits them. The first three are a very popular and unique baby shower gift.
♥ Sign language and Your Child, learn 100 basic signs that will help you communicate with your children – online skype session $80
♥ Music for Pregnancy, Childbirth & the 1st Year, learn proper breathing techniques and how the right kind of music can support you and your baby during this special time – online skype session $80
♥ The Magic of Nursery Rhymes, develop confidence in singing with your little one and discover how nursery rhymes can benefit your bub’s development – online skype session $80
♥ Music, Mind, Study and Sleep, focus the mind, sustain concentration, optimise study sessions and learn how to wind down when it’s all done – online skype session $80
♥ DIY mantras, chants and meditations, learn how to write your own empowering meditation tools – online skype session $80
♥ Music and Dementia care, learn how to use music as a memory and reminiscence tool with your loved ones – online skype session $80
♥ Musical Massage, the perfect vibrational balancing ‘bath’ $50
♥ Oh My Musical Goodness Meditation pack – a super cute handmade kit consisting of custom-made and recorded affirmations, mantras, chants and a guided meditation along with visual meditation aids and postage $180
What conditions does music therapy help with?
Psychological, Emotional, Physical, Mental, Educational, Spiritual, Social, the list goes on. Pretty much any area of life that needs addressing can be done with music. I’ve helped stroke victims learn to speak again through singing, helped teenagers in juvenile detention understand emotions through analysing lyrics, helped parents connect on a deeper level with their children and helped the ordinary, everyday person learn how to relax. My favourite area of work is the world of mental health and my underlying goal is always to help people increase their sense of self. I believe that the higher ones level of self-esteem the more chance they have of achieving anything in life. The OMMG Meditation Pack came about as a self-esteem resource for teenage girls and young women.
Is music therapy suitable for everyone?
I’ve worked with babies pre-birth and I’ve worked with a woman of age 107 – so yes, music therapy is suitable for everyone! My Dad once told me “The language of music transcends all barriers” and it’s so true. If 100 people all of different ages, different nationalities with their own native tongues and different cultures and interests all came together in a room you could play music and everyone would understand it! It’s as simple as that!
Where can we find out more about music therapy?
You can find out more about music and vibrational therapies at my website or go to The Australian Music Therapy Association website or Facebook page for more specific information on music therapy and therapists in your state.
Why would you recommend music therapy?
Music is a non-invasive, expressive tool that almost everyone loves! So it’s the perfect tool for using in a therapeutic setting. I especially recommend music therapy as a tool for adolescents and young adults as music is often a key element to their sense of identity, making it an essential part of their lives and a perfect tool for positive change.
Do you have a favourite inspirational quote?
The mantra I’m trying to live by at the moment is “be the woman you want your daughter to be” – haha, it’s not always as easy as it sounds!
How can people get in touch with you?
Website: Oh My Musical Goodness
Facebook: Oh My Musical Goodness page
Email: ohmymusicalgoodness@gmail.com
Special Offer for NNAM readers:
Get 25% off all online sessions for your readers for this month. Just mention NNAM when you contact me!
Wow, thank you so much Allie for a peak into your world as a music therapist! I for one just want to hop on a plane to Tassie and have a music massage. Sounds like absolute heaven. ♥
Have you tried music therapy?
What an amazing service. I truly believe in the healing power of music and it sounds like Alli is doing a top job. I hope my kids follow in her footsteps and do a Bachelor of Music. Their piano playing has brought much joy (& often tears!) to our home. PS: How gorgeous is that meditation kit!
You are so blessed to have musical children! Do they get it from you Bren?
Thanks Brenda – it’s a very fulfilling life journey!!! keep enjoying the piano! x
What an amaazing women and interesting field of work. I am just getting into vibrational energy and sounding now as my meditation teacher incorporates it in her meditation. It feels awesome.
have you used a singing bowl? hubby got me one for my birthday last year – it’s so amazing – it makes me feel so good!
The singing bowl is my favourite too NNAM! But there is a real art to how to play it properly and the amount of different sounds you can then create! Keep an eye out for a post explaining it all!
Thanks Nicola – you will be amazed at the difference sound healing makes to your meditation – sound is one of the strongest vibrations you can experience and the effect it has on us is astounding! Actually I must write a post on how NOT to use sound!! good luck 🙂
Wow, so interesting! I knew someone who was studying this years ago. It would be a fascinating area to work in (as therapist or client I think!). I love the idea of using musical therapy with dementia.
It is amazing work and how beneficial for those needing help.
HI Kirsten – i”m teaching online workshops on how you can use music to improve the quality of life of those with Dementia – do call me if you are ever interested! Ive worked in aged care since 2005 and it is by FAR one of very favourite areas of music therapy – the outcomes are amazing!!!!
http://ohmymusicalgoodness.blogspot.com.au/p/upcoming-sessions.html
What an interesting field of work. It’s amazing how the power of music can impact people so positively. While I know someone studying this, I had no idea that it could be used to help stroke victims and those with mental disorders. Alli is doing a wonderful job and has clearly helped many people with the healing power of music.
I had no idea either, but I am very excited about it and the possibilities!
Thanks so much Sophie – yep most people have no idea about music therapy or the extent of it’s healing potential! So lots of thanks to NNAM for helping to get it out there!!!
Fabulous! Music therapists are very special people and do wonderful work. A couple of years ago we did 2 terms of sessions at the Arts Centre and it was just brilliant. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt became a full on multi-sensory experience. Thanks for spreading the word about things like this Sonia xx
I think it’s brilliant you can do that at an Arts Centre!
<3 thanks Caz – stoked that you've gotten to see it in action for yourself!
Wow she is inspiring. I love music and I believe it helps my boys as well. A simple change I make if kids are getting grumpy is putting fun music on. Also my 2.5 yr old will burst into tears when he hear so bed time lullabies… so gorgeous.
that’s a great tip Kelly xx
Thanks Kelly – I’m almost finished an album of sleepy time songs and guided meditations for little ones so keep your eyes out for that ! x
Life is so fulfilling when we are able to live in the world and simultaneously make a positive difference in the lives of those we meet. Music is an intimate exchange that is beneficial for both the performer and the listener. Music has been highly valued as one of the most preferred natural methods of stress relief and for promoting all-round well-being. Specially formulated sound therapy can also guide one to deeper levels of relaxation. Through the power of sound the body can be guided to a state of self-healing to help cope with regular daily challenges.